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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 06/09/2025
Company: Cork Sports News
Contact: paul@corksportsnews.ie

Your privacy is very important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website or interact with our services, in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. Information We Collect

When you use our website, we may collect the following types of information:

Personal information you provide directly:

  • Name, email, and other contact details when submitting forms or subscribing to newsletters.
  • Order and payment information if purchasing products or services (processed securely via Stripe or WooCommerce).

Technical and usage data we collect automatically:

  • IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring site, and pages visited.
  • Interactions with site features such as comments, “likes,” or polls.
  • Cookies and similar tracking data to improve user experience and site functionality.

Data collected by plugins and services:

  • Admin Columns: Stores user preferences locally; license info sent to their server.
  • Complianz/Cookie Database: Cookie scanning results, domain info, and plugin list; no personal visitor data is sent without consent.
  • Jetpack (including WooCommerce Shipping & Tax): Visitor data for site stats, order processing, surveys, comments, spam filtering, and security. May include email addresses for order processing.
  • LiteSpeed Cache/QUIC.cloud: Caches pages locally; optional optimization features transmit server data (no personal visitor info).
  • LoginPress: Collects site admin name/email and plugin usage data; does not collect visitor credentials.
  • Post SMTP (via Freemius SDK): Data collection only if opted-in; may include admin name/email and site info for license or updates.
  • WooCommerce: Personal and payment information needed to process orders; technical and transactional info may be stored.
  • Stripe: Payment data (card/bank info, billing/shipping) is processed securely via Stripe servers.
  • Google Analytics (via Site Kit): Anonymized visitor usage data, including IP addresses, pages visited, and session info.

2. How We Collect Information

  • Information is provided by you when filling forms, subscribing to newsletters, leaving comments, or placing orders.
  • Technical and usage data is collected automatically via cookies, analytics tools, and server logs.
  • Some data is collected through third-party plugins to improve site functionality, security, and marketing.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following legal grounds:

  • Performance of a contract: To process your orders and manage your account.
  • Consent: When you agree to receive marketing emails or enable cookies.
  • Legitimate interests: To improve our website, ensure security, prevent fraud, and analyze visitor behavior.
  • Legal obligations: Where required by law, e.g., for accounting or tax purposes.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Process orders and deliver products/services.
  • Manage your account, preferences, and subscriptions.
  • Improve website functionality, content, and performance.
  • Monitor site security and prevent fraud.
  • Send marketing communications if you have provided consent.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

5. Third-Party Plugins and Services

Cookies and Consent:

  • Complianz: Stores cookie preferences and helps comply with EU cookie regulations.

Website Optimization and Security:

  • LiteSpeed Cache & QUIC.cloud: Optimizes pages and caches site data; no visitor personal data is routinely collected.
  • LoginPress: Collects admin data and plugin usage; no sensitive visitor data.
  • Post SMTP/Freemius: Collects admin data only if opted-in.
  • Wordfence Security: Protects the site; may share security info with their servers.

Analytics and Marketing:

  • Google Analytics: Collects anonymized visitor behavior data; may transfer outside the EU with safeguards.
  • Jetpack: Visitor stats, spam protection, surveys, and order info.

Ecommerce and Payments:

  • WooCommerce: Collects order and payment info; stored securely on your server and/or via payment gateways.
  • Stripe Payment Gateway: Processes payments securely; Stripe may process card info, billing, and shipping data.

Other Plugins:

  • Admin Columns: Stores local user preferences; license info sent for management.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

  • Order and accounting records: 7 years (to comply with Irish law).
  • Technical logs and analytics: typically 30 days.
  • Cookies and consent: as long as you do not withdraw consent.

You may request deletion of your data, subject to legal or contractual obligations.

7. Transfers Outside the EU

Some services (Google Analytics, Stripe, Jetpack) may transfer data outside the EEA. We ensure such transfers comply with GDPR, using safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses or approved frameworks.

8. Your GDPR Rights

You have the following rights regarding your data:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Correction: Fix inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your data.
  • Restriction: Limit processing of your data.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured, common format.
  • Object: Object to data processing, particularly for marketing purposes.
  • Automated Decisions: Learn about automated processing, if any.

To exercise these rights, contact paul@corksportsnews.ie. Identity verification may be required.

9. Cookies and Tracking

  • We use cookies and similar technologies for functionality, analytics, and marketing.
  • Non-essential cookies require explicit consent via the cookie banner.
  • You may manage or withdraw consent through browser settings or the cookie banner at any time.

10. Data Security

  • Your data is stored securely using encryption, access controls, and other industry-standard measures.
  • Only authorized personnel and third-party providers with contractual privacy obligations have access to data.

11. Automated Decision-Making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects or similarly significant impacts.

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will always be displayed here, with the effective date updated.

13. Contact

Questions or concerns? Contact us at: paul@corksportsnews.ie

By using our website and services, you consent to this Privacy Policy and the processing of your personal data as described.